Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, kicked off her 2025 Italian Open campaign with a hard-fought victory against Australian qualifier Maya Joint, securing her first-ever win in Rome. The 22-year-old Brit battled through a grueling three-set match, ultimately prevailing 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-3 after nearly three hours on the clay courts of the Foro Italico. This triumph marks a significant milestone for Raducanu, who has been navigating an inconsistent season while adapting to the demanding red clay surface.
The match was a rollercoaster, with Raducanu showcasing both her resilience and her vulnerabilities. She took the first set 7-5, capitalizing on her powerful backhand and precise serves to edge out the 19-year-old Joint, who was making her main-draw debut at the Italian Open. However, Joint, ranked No. 78 and fresh off two qualifying wins, proved a formidable opponent. The Australian’s aggressive baseline play and relentless pace pushed Raducanu to the brink in the second set. Leading 5-3 and serving for the match, Raducanu faltered, allowing Joint to stage a spirited comeback and claim the set in a lopsided 7-1 tiebreak. “It was a really hard battle,” Raducanu reflected afterward. “Maya played an amazing match and such a high level. And I think I did as well. I think that the overall level of the match was really high and she’s flown up the rankings.”
Undeterred, Raducanu regrouped during a crucial bathroom break before the third set, emerging with renewed focus. She unleashed her best stretch of attacking tennis, racing to a 5-0 lead with a series of stylish “inside-in” forehand winners that pinned Joint back. Yet, the young Australian refused to fold, breaking Raducanu’s serve at 5-3 to keep the match alive. Raducanu, drawing on her experience, stayed composed and sealed the victory with a final surge of aggression. “I’m really proud of myself as well, because that was a great performance, I think, on all fronts,” she said, acknowledging the high stakes of the encounter.
This victory is a confidence booster for Raducanu, who has struggled to replicate her US Open heroics since her 2021 triumph. Her 2025 season has been a mixed bag, with a quarterfinal run at the Miami Open highlighting her potential, but early exits in Madrid and elsewhere exposing her challenges on clay. Rome marks only her second appearance at the Italian Open; in 2022, she retired injured in the first round against Bianca Andreescu. “It gives me a lot of confidence because it’s not just clay – it’s at night, it’s heavy,” Raducanu noted, referencing the tricky conditions of the evening match. The cold temperatures and heavy balls tested her adaptability, but her ability to maintain conviction underscored her growth.
Joint, a rising star who turned pro in December 2024, impressed despite the loss. Having climbed over 600 ranking spots since early 2024, she became the youngest Australian to win a WTA 1000 match at Madrid, surpassing a record set by Ashleigh Barty. Her performance against Raducanu, marked by resilience and bold shot-making, suggests a bright future. “Playing like this, I think she’s gonna go up really fast, really quick,” Raducanu predicted, generous in her praise for her opponent.
Raducanu’s journey in Rome continues with a second-round clash against No. 20 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, a familiar foe she defeated in Melbourne earlier this year but lost to in Doha. With the French Open looming, this win could propel Raducanu toward a deeper run, potentially elevating her from her current No. 49 ranking. As she fine-tunes her clay-court game under the guidance of coach Mark Petchey—who was notably absent from her box, commentating for Tennis Channel—Raducanu’s blend of grit and flair signals she’s rediscovering her spark. For fans, this thrilling victory is a reminder of why the Brit remains one of tennis’s most captivating talents.
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